The Aberdare Leader

R.T. JONES & Co., MERTHYR. THE GREAT WINTER SALE The entire Stock of Ceneral Drapery, Furnishing Goods, Gents' Mercery, Suitings, Men's and Juveqile Clothing, &c., including the LATEST WINTER FASHIONS offered at enormous Reductions off Regular Prices. An accumulation of Remnants and Oddments to be cleared at half price and under. SALE TERMINATES SATURDAY, FEB. 11th. We cordially invite personal inspection, as this sale offers an unequalled opportunity of purchasing Parcels of Reliable and First-class quality Goods at very exceptional Reductions. Terrqs Cash. Po Discount. All Parcels delivered free. R. T. JONES and Co. (LATE PHILLIPS & EVANS), 125a and 126, High Street, 1, 3 and 3a, Victoria Street, MERTHYR. 1 and 2, Central St., Market Sq., j

Conservative Workmen and the Parliamentary Levy. Important Discussion at Moun- tain Ash. The annual meeting of the Taff and Cynon District of miners was held at the Workmen's Institute, on Tuesday. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr E. Lovell, pre- sident for the past year, for the excellent way he had conducted the meetings. Mr J. Murphy, vice-president, was then elected chairman, and Mr B. Boseley was elected vice-chairman. A vote of condolence with the relatives of the victims of the Gowerton explosion, was passed, all present rising to their feet. The number of members represented at the meeting was 5761. Total contributions, £ 261 9s std. Councillor J. Powell reported that he had consulted a solicitor as to whether they had any claim upon a Railway Co. in the event of a workmen's train being delayed causing a workman to lose a day's work. Mr Nicholas had stated that the Federation Dis- trict had no particular fund whereby they could contest such a case. Moreover, he understood that the Railway Cos., when running workmen's trains took the pre- caution to indemnify themselves from any such claim. No action was taken. The Secretary read a letter from Mr T. Richards, M.P., secretary of the South Wales Miners' Federation, pointing out that the District was in arrears for the Par- liamentary levy. There was X100 due at the end of 1903, and of .£361 2s 6d due in 1904 X314 Is 6d had been paid. The mat- ter had been brought to the special notice of the Executive by the auditors, and they had decided to give the District formal notice under rule 20 to pay within 14 days or be declared out of compliance, and no longer entitled to the benefits of the Federa- tion Failing to comply with this notice would have to be reported to the next annual conference. Mr J. Powell, the secretary, said that ever" penny received from the lodges on account of the Parliamentary levy had been paid in to the Central Executive, but as a District they held that it was not right to pay moneys from other funds to make up the deficiency in the Parliamentary Rep- resentation Fund. The difficulty had arisen, as they were all aware, because of the agita- tion on the part of some of the men against this particular levy. Some of their fellow- workmen called themselves Conservatives, and he had no objection to any man holding that opinion, but they should remember that in every well organised society the majority must rule, and the minority should loyally act on every question in accordance with the decision of the majority. He had no doubt these men were quite conscientious in being Conservatives, but they should come to the lodges and give their fellow men the benefit of their opinions and their assistance in improving the labour rep- resentation scheme in any particular where they considered it defective. What he ob- jected to was that instead of doing so they formed into clubs and placed themselves in the hands of political agitators. Mr Enoch Morrell, representative of the District on the Executive Council, said the Council held that the District was respon- sible to the Executive, and the Executive could only look to the District and their only remedy was to dis-franchise those dis- tricts which were in arrears unless they complied with the rules. In the same manner the District must deal with the lodges, and the lodges should in their turn deal with the individual members. He put it before them whether they should not con- sider it their duty to clear up these arrears before the forthcoming conference. Mr Peter Gardner, the treasurer, ob- jected. Why should they pay the arrears ? If they did so they would be compelling the loyal members to pay twice, while the dis- loyal ones evaded payment. Mr J. Powell thought that a copy of Mr Richards' letter might be sent to each lodge secretary with a request that the lodges should bring pressure to bear upon the members to pay. A delegate asked if they were the only district in arrears, and Mr Morrell said they were not, Some districts not as large as theirs were in arrears to even larger extent. He agreed with the principle adopted by the District, but the Central Executive was bound to bring the matter before that meeting, the Districts being the only bodies the Central Executive could deal with. A Treharris Delegate said they had much difficulty with some of the men. and he felt sure that the Districts which were clear had used the moneys from other funds. He had heard it said, Don't you pay. The District will pay for you." He was sorry they had this difficulty, but they must meet it firmly until they got every unit to be loyal. It was resolved to send a copy of the letter to every lodge secretary with an urgent request that the lodges should take steps to get in the arrears. Mr Enoch Morrell said he was convinced more than ever of the need of an out-of work fund. No doubt much of the depres- sion in the Western District was due to the Is coal tax. The auditors' report showed funds in hand at the commencement of the year amounting to X4,773 118 7d, and at the end of the year, £5,856 16s 8d.

"Genius of 13—Welsh Boy Pianist wins over 200 Prizes." Such was the heading of a paragraph which appeared in last Friday's Daily Mail, A representative of that paper had the privilege of hearing young Percy Hughes of Aberaman play at the Royal Academy last week some studies of Schumann and Weber's Concertstiick an exceedingly difficult composition. The paragraph "winds up as follows: The technical brilliancy with which he rendered it would stamp him as an extraordinary musician and the colour, fire and artistic feeling be displayed showed that he possessed the makings of a really great pianist." The effect of this paragraph is that two offers have been received from London, one being from a retired medical man and the other from a boy's home to maintain this infant genius whilst he is at the Royal Academy, his parents (who have 7 children) being unable to do so. It is much to be regretted thlit no local response has been received to the com- mittee's appeal for subscriptions, the few pounds which have come in being from total strangers. The committee (of which Mr T. L. Davies, colliery manager, is the chairman, the Rev. M. Powell (vicar), vice-chairman, and Messrs Taliesin James ann Tom W. Griffiths, treasurer and sec- retary respectively) met last night a.nd as the local financial support is not forth- coming it was decided that the hon. sec- retary and the lad's father should go to London to see if it is possible to work up a great concert there.

Abercynon Police Court. On Wednesday, before Sir T. Marchant Williams (Stipendiary). ) VACCINATION.—Frederick George Knowles, 39. Consort street, Ynysybwl, applied for an exemption order in the case of his child, —Granted. ) DRUNKS. Thomas Caughlin in Aberdare road, Abercynon, 10s and costs; Daniel Williams in Quakers Yard, 10s and costs; William Godfrey Evans in 10s and costs; Benjamin Jenkins, New road, Tyntetown, 19 years of age, 10s and costs; Charles Davies in Abercynon, 5s and costs Alfred Humphreys in Quakers Yard, 5s and costs Solomon Morgan in Abercynon road, 5s and costs. CHIMNEY ON FIRE. Henry Bishop, 8, Margaret street, Aber- cynon, for allowing his chimney to go on fire, was fined 2s 6d. NON-ATTENDANCE,AT SCHOOL. John Frame was summoned for not send- ing his child, Irene Frame, to school,—Mr Brown, the attendance officer, deposed that these were the fourth proceedings taken against defendant.—Fined 20s and costs. COULD NOT PAY THE POOR RATE. Margaret Davies, an elderly widow, living at 113, Woodfield terrace, Penrhiwceiber, was summoned at the instance of the Over- seers of the Parish of Llanwonno for not paying X2 14s due in respect of poor rate. -Mr William Phillips, assistant overseer, said that the amount had been running on since April, 1903. Numerous applications had been made for payments, but she was unable to pay. She owned the house in which she lived. The matter had been placed before the Overseers, who had allowed the proceedings to be delayed to give her a chance to pay. Her son lived with her. StipendiaryDoes your son work ? Defendant (weeping): He was idle for 12 months owing to' an accident, and has a wife to maintain. A distress warrant was granted, but sus- pended for one month, Mr Phillips in the meantime to again place her case before the Overseers. BREACH OF COLLIERY RULES. Edward Evans, Mountain Ash, employed at the Navigation Colliery, was summoned for committing a breach of the colliery rules by riding on a journey of trams. Mr Vazie Simons, Merthyr, prosecuted, and a fine of 20s and costs was inflicted. A MOTHER REPRIMANDED. Thomas Henry Hemms, a lad of 13 years of age, was charged with stealing a blanket, the property of Sydney Pulsford, 51, Her- bert street, Abercynon, Jane Pulsford, the prosector's wife, deposed that the blanket was stolen from the clothes line in her back garden. She missed the blanket between 9 and 10 p.m. on January 12th. P.C. Jones said that as the result of inquiries he went to the boy's home. The boy stated that he found the blanket outside a house. The boy's mother, who was present, pro- tested her innocence of any knowledge of the theft. The Stipendiary did not believe her, and severely reprimanded her, adding that she ought to be in the dock in the place of her boy. A fine of 20s and costs was inflicted.

GIRL'S AMAZING STORY. SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A MOUNTAIN ASH MAN. Jane Hughes, 16 years of age, was charged with stealing £6 from the house of David Thomas, 60, Oxford street, Mountain Ash. Mr W. J. Shipton, who appeared for the prosecution, said it was a difficult case, because the prisoner had made a serious charge against the prosecutor. Ann Thomas, wife of David Thomas, said she engaged defendant as a servant on November 18th last. In the first week in December she removed a box into prisoner's bedroom, the box contained some clothes and C20 in gold. Towards the end of the second week in December, when she had occasion to open the box, Y.6 were missing, She did not say a word to the prisoner at the time, but made private enquiries. She ascertained that the prisoner had been spending a lot of money, which she said she obtained from her mother. On Christmas day witness went to Llandaff, and prisoner went home to her mother for a holiday. On Thursday, December 29th, prisoner re- turned, witness reaching home on the fol- lowing Tuesday. She then taxed her about the t6. Prisoner then left and called again for her box. Witness said, If you don't return the money stolen from me you shall not have your box." Prisoner replied, If you won't let me have my box I will have Mr Thomas on for insulting me, unless you put a lump sum down." Witness then said, You wait till I get a constable here." Prisoner then hurriedly left the house. Asked if she had anything to say, Hughes said that when Mrs Thomas stated she had lost zC6, she (prisoner) replied that she was very sorry that it happened while she was there, and then Mrs Thomas remarked, I do not believe you have got it." Mrs Thomas denied this. Prisoner then proceeded: One night when Mrs Thomas was away, Mr Thomas came to my bedroom. I had placed the dressing table against the door before going to bed, but Mr Thomas pushed the door open. He asked me to come to his bed and I refused. He then carried me to his room. I struggled with him by the side of the bed and he told me he would give me 30s if I would go to bed with him. I still struggled and told him to let me go. I knocked the wall as hard as I could, but no one heard me, and he committed a rape on me." Stipendiary: I am afraid I must adjourn the case, so that a solicitor be instructed to appear for the defence. Mr Shipton I agree, sir. It is a difficult case. In reply to the Stipendiary, Inspector Davies said that the girl's parents were not in court. They lived at Troedyrhiw. Pri- soner had been arrested at Senghenith. Finally it was decided to adjourn the case for a fortnight, and prisoner was released on bail.

PRINTING Neatly and Promptly executed at the LEADER OFFICE.

Will of Mi, T. Rees, Llan- daff. Mr Thomas Rees, of Bryncerdin, Llandaff, late of the Swan Hotel, Aberaman, hotel proprietor, who died on the 26th November last, left estate of the gross value of X5,823 3s lid, with the net personality Y,5,397 18s 4d, and probate of his will, which is dated 11th December, has been granted to Mr Thomas Rees. of Maesteg, draper, and Mr Thomas Phillips and Mr William David Phillips, both of Aberdare, solicitors, to each of whom the testator bequeathed £10. He left his shares in the Carne Town Cottage Co. and the Aberdare Valley Steam Laundry Co. to his son Frederick Thomas, and he left an annuity of X52 to his wife during widowhood with a legacy of X50. He left £ 1,000 upon trust to pay the income there- from to his said son until the 13th April, 1911, when the sum is to be paid to him absolutely, and the residue of his estate to his daughter Charlotte.

CUTTINGS FROM THE "COM ICS." (From Punch.) "RULLO, Brown. How's the cold?"—"Very obstinate."—"How's the wife?"—"About the same." "A CROP EXPERT. "-A Professional Hair- dresser. SISTERS (Before the Ball. )-Pierrette (chang- ing the subject after a recent tiff in which she has come off victorious): "This glass is better, Rose. I can see myself here beautifully "— Pompadour (seeing her opportunity) "Plainly, I suppose you mean." OLD SONG ADAPTED BY GENERAL STOSSEL.— "Our dislodger's such a nice young man A LARGE piece of Kent fell into the sea last week. Little Englanders are naturally delighted. PARLIAMENT has had its holidays extended to the 14th prox., and will therefore not "go back" till long after Eton and the other academies. But why "go back" at all ? The Country is getting on quite nicely, thank you. THE Baltic Fleet is now thirsting for another fight with Japanese torpedo-boats. The pro- visions taken aboard at Port Said included a quantity of liqueurs and champagne. THE ckarming French actress Mme. Le Bargy is coming to London, and soon we shall be flocking to see La Beaute et Le Bargy. "PEACE and quietness are what we especially desire," said Mr. Balfour in his great speech at Glasgow. Our new guns will not be ready for two years. A PREMIUM ON PROFANITY. -Young Lady (pre- paring to pay Cabby): "What shall I give him, auntie?"—Auntie: "Just give him a shilling, and, if he swears, give him another sixpence. INGENUUS Pmm. -Mamma: "I thought there was an apple on the sideboairt, and I was going to give it you, but I find it isn't there!"— Freddy: Well, will you give me something else, mummy, 'cos it wasn't a very good one ? REVIVAL OF THE "BURIED TREASURE" CRAZH.— General Nogi seems to have been more fortunate than Lord Fitzwilliam in his search for hidden treasure. Notwithstanding the report that Port Arthur had been compelled to surrender through the exhaustion of its ammunition, he has dis- covered over 80,000 shells, and about thirty tons of small-arm cartridges, so well concealed that even the Russians who hid them were apparently ignorant of their whereabouts. AN unofficial cable from Diego Suarez reports the total destruction of the Baltic Fleet, whose Admiral unfortunately mistook a Japanese torpedo-flotilla for trawlers, and signalled to it to come alongside and supply the fleet with fresh fish. (From Judy.) IT was a young Russ of New-chang Whose promotion too long seemed to hang, When a Japanese mine Raised him out of the line, And he rose, when he did, with a bang. Too MUCK OF IT.-Moneybags-. "That's a horrible cold you've got, old chap. Why don't you get advice for it?"—Stocks: "Ged advice,, id-deed; you're the twedty-sevedth that's gived be his advice to-day." How THE POOR LIVR.-Youtb (depositing penny on the counter): "'Arf o' four ale, a clean pipe for farver, wot's the time, an d'yer know wot's won the free-fifty race ? FATHER: "I am very shocked! Your mother tells me that you are engaged to three young men, "-Daughter: "Oh, well, pa! they are all football players, and when the season closes I can marry the survivor." SHARP !-Toothpick: "Brokerstein ?— one of the smartest men in the City-like a needle. Topper: "I see-never works unless he's pushed." GIRL FRIEND: "And what sort of girl is George's fiancee—plain?"—Boy Friend: "No, not exactly; more-coloured." (From Pick-.JVø- Up. ) A PARTING SHOT.—Freddie (who has just been refused by the rich widow): "Of course, don't you know, you can do as you please, but I'd like you to understand that I've got more sense than you give me credit for, don't you know." —The Widow: "Oh, I'm glad of that-for your sake." His REQUEST.—Little Brother: "Mr. Foseyboy, won't you go and stand before the window ? —Poseyboy: "Certainly, my little man; but why ?' —Little Brother: Oh, ma says she can see through you. I want to see if I can." CURTAILING EXPENSES.—"Never knew such hard times, old boy. We're economising at our house now just like other folks."—"You were always an excessive smoker. I suppose the first thing you did was to cut down the number of your cigars."—"Well, no; not exactly. You see, wifey does the household work instead of hiring a girl, and that's where the economy comes in." HE: "What makes the dining-room so cold, dear?"—She: "I think, love, it must be the frieze on the wall." AT THE MATRIMONIAL AGENCY. -The Client: Have you got a photo of this young lady with ten thousand a-year?"—The Lady Director; "My good man, nobody wants a photo of any lady who's got over a thousand a-year." ALWAYS UNLUCKY.—"I always was unlucky," complained a convict to a visitor. indeed 1— Yes, I got pinched the first crib-cracking job I took on, and now my number is 1,313. Just think of that." FOR THE SEASON.—Mrs. Einstein: "Yes, ma tear, der school inspector tell me to take mein leedle Yawcob home and give him a bath, ain't it ? As I tell him, I say dat's impossible, 'cos I just sewed mein leedle boy up in his clothes for do winter, ain't it?" (From Sketchy Bits.) THE PUNISHMENT THAT FITS THE CRIME.—"la your Bachelors' Club, what is the penalty for marrying ? Marriage THE OLD Boy "My son spends a great deal of his time in your company?"—The Actress: "Yes, but that is about all! WEATHER INDICATIONS.—"What's the matter wid yer husband, Mrs. O'Muscle ? Faix, an' he told me such a base loie thot 'e wuz. sthruck wid loightning on the spot! "—"But oi haven't noticed ony storrm about?"—"Sure, an 'it wuz quoite local!" HE'D GOT IT.—"You mustn't despair of your husband, Mrs. O'Brien. He must have time."—"An' thot's what he's got-they gave him six weeks' hard "¡"<1. À Printed and Published at their Printing Works, Market Buildings, Market Street, Aberdare. in the County of Glamorgan, by the proprietors, W. PUGH and J. L. ROWLANDS.